In 1889, she left for England to finish liberal education there, however
Princess Kaiulani was not very happy. She wanted to spend more time with
her people. She was required to study as a representative of Kalakaua
dynasty in order to learn the language, manner of attitude, and confidence
in Western culture. Sailing to England, Kaiulani wrote the following in
her diary: “I am beginning to feel some tiny flashes of anticipation.
Soon, I will see my father’s homeland. A heritage that flows through
my blood as well, though I have not yet made its acquaintance” (White,
2001, p. 100).

13. Days in England

She saw her first fog in England. At the
Great Harrowden Hall School for Girls in Northamptonshire, she started
her studies of French and German. The heir of the Pacific Kingdom was
doing well. When she was ranked third in her French class, Kaiulani wrote
a nice, long letter to Mama Moi, her Aunt, Liliuokalani (p. 127). Most
likely, she wanted her family to praise her for the high ranking in her
French class. She was only 14 years old at the time. Kaiulani was also
studying art with several of her close friends at the Great Harrowden
School. Meanwhile, Hawaii was changing.

14. Hawaiian history began to involve the
princess

In October, 1890, she welcomed her fifteenth
birthday with a letter from King Kalakaua. Kalakaua was warning Kaiulani,
“Be on guard against certain enemies I do not feel free to name
in writing.” She wrote back to him soon. “I am quite at a
loss to know to whom you refer as not to be relied upon—I wish you
could speak more plainly, as I cannot be on my guard unless I know to
whom you allude” (p. 83). Instead of replying, in January, Kaiulani’s
guardian, Theo Davies, came to her. Mr. Davies was the former British
consul to Hawaii. He opened his mouth, and the girl heard, “It seems
your uncle, King Kalakaua, has died in San Francisco. This news is not
only very sad; it changes everything in the Islands” (p. 83). Just
before Kaiulani left Hawaii for England, her mother, Likelike had passed
away. Kaiulani was just in deep sadness. Now, the tender-hearted princess
was worried about the family’s sorrow about Kalakaua, and wrote
a letter to his sister, Liliuokalani.

15. More deaths

After Kalakaua’s death in 1891, Liliuokalani
became Queen. The beginning of the Liliuokalani’s reign was just
difficult for her to manage. Princess Kaiulani knew that the Queen’s
husband, John Owen Dominis, died in August due to an illness, therefore
Kaiulani thought that Queen Liliuokalani would want Kaiulani by her side.
She wrote the following in her diary on September 15: “Will it never
end? I wrote her (the queen) at once, but could not think of what to say
to comfort her. How very desolate she must feel, without Uncle John! How
many losses can my poor family bear??” (p. 156). In contrary, Queen
Liliuokalani told Princess Kaiulani to stay at school and continue working
hard there. Just as she did back home, Kaiulani rode out her sorrow and
troubles on the back of her horse until she felt better.

16. Overthrow

Princess Kaiulani was practicing the piano
with her best friend Alice when Mr. Davies came to see her again. It was
on January 30th, 1893. As soon as Kaiulani saw his facial expression,
she could tell something terrible had happened again. Unfortunately, she
was right. Mr. Davies gave her a stack of three telegrams: QUEEN DEPOSED;
MONARCHY ABROGATED; and BREAK NEWS TO PRINCESS. “What does it mean?”
she asked (White, 2001, p. 181). Kaiulani received a long letter from
her father. According to the letter, the rebels formed a Committee of
Safety to organize their own government. Diplomatic Ministry John Stevens
ordered the United States Marines to occupy the area around Iolani Palace.
Still, she was informed by the letter that an American named Sanford Dole
has been appointed as a new leader—not elected by the will of the
people. Kaiulani was no longer a princess anymore.